Paper Summary
Paperzilla title
Nattokinase Shows Promise for Blood Clots, But More Research Needed (Small Human Study)
This small human study (n=12) suggests that a single dose of nattokinase, an enzyme from fermented soybeans, may improve blood clot breakdown and reduce clotting. The changes observed were all within the normal range and more research with larger sample size is needed.
Possible Conflicts of Interest
None identified, but research was supported by a grant from the Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI) Japan.
Identified Weaknesses
The study involved only 12 participants, which is a very small sample size. This limits the generalizability of the findings and increases the possibility of results being influenced by chance or individual variability. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.
The study only included male participants, which means that the results may not be applicable to women. Further research including female participants is needed to investigate potential sex differences in the effects of nattokinase.
The study measured effects for only 8 hours after administration, which provides limited information about the long-term effects of nattokinase. Further research should examine the longer-term impacts.
Lack of Clinical Outcomes
While the study assessed some blood parameters related to clotting and fibrinolysis, it did not measure actual clinical outcomes such as the incidence of blood clots or bleeding events. Future research should investigate these outcomes in patients at risk for thrombotic events.
Rating Explanation
This was a relatively well-designed study, with a double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over design. However, it is significantly limited by its very small sample size (n=12), all-male participants, limited duration, and lack of actual clinical outcomes. While it suggests promise, significantly more research is needed.
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File Information
Original Title:
A single-dose of oral nattokinase potentiates thrombolysis and anti-coagulation profiles
Uploaded:
September 07, 2025 at 07:29 PM
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